BBC Catches Google Running Illegal Ads In UK, Google UK Accepts!

According to a sensational investigative report, British Broadcasting Company(BBC) claims that Google is in hot water again. BBC has blamed Google.co.uk for running ads for illegal Olympic ticket resellers, ads for cannabis and ads for fake UK passports and identification cards. According to published BBC report, these ads were stopped by Google as soon as they were brought to company's attention, but that has not stopped Google from keeping the revenue they generated through these illegal ads.

Google US had faced similar problem back in August 2011. Google was then caught red handed for helping Canadian pharmacy to advertise and sell drugs to the US consumers, a grave violation of US Federal Laws. This incident cooled down with Google being slapped a massive $500 million fine to U.S Department Of Justice, and now with only five months on, Google UK has yet another similar problem at hand.

It is apparent that search giant has learned nothing from their previous mistake, this time around though, Google cashed on upcoming London Olympics 2012 fever. Ads like illegal Olympic ticket resellers, ads for cannabis and ads for fake UK passports were said to be doing rounds online, until they were taken down. This matter was brought to BBC's notice by a consumer, who grew suspicious of its legality, when she was asked to fax her signature for completion of ticket purchase. She was purchasing her tickets through LiveOlympicsTickets, an illegal Olympic ticket reseller, appearing on Google's AdWords. Please be noted, that it is a crime in the UK to sell/resell Olympics tickets without the permission of organizing committee.

The latest incident highlights an everlasting problem at Google, and proves it is going through conflict of interests, made evident by raising profit from the very ads they say they are committed to monitor. Though Google has accepted they have done the illegal but they still haven't paid the price for breaking the law. This matter is sure to evolve in coming days with a trial against Google, most probably on cards.

Navneet Kaushal

Navneet Kaushal is the founder and CEO of PageTraffic, an SEO Agency in India with offices in Chicago, Mumbai and London. A leading search strategist, Navneet helps clients maintain an edge in search engines and the online media. Navneet's expertise has established PageTraffic as one of the most awarded and successful search marketing agencies.

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